18 adult male rats were randomly divided into two groups, the test group were administered with 500 mg/kg body weight single dose of the extract daily for 21 days while the control were administered with 0.9% physiological saline. The extract caused a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in the mean values of sperm count, motility, viability and serum

testosterone buy 5-Fluoracil concentration in the test when compared with the control. Also, in the test group, the deleterious effect of the extract on the sperm parameters and testosterone concentration was corroborated by histopathology which revealed a marked degeneration of the seminiferous tubule epithelium and disruption of interstitial cells of ZIETDFMK the testis thereby interfering with spermatogenesis and testosterone secretion while there was no visible lesion in the control group. It was concluded that extract of C. papaya leaf exert toxic effect on the seminiferous tubule epithelium with concomitant reduction in reproductive potentials of the male rat. C. papaya

leaf should therefore be cautiously used in both man and animal.”
“Successive extracts of Ficus microcarpa L. fil. bark (FMB) were tested for antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride- and paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicities in rats. The ethyl acetate extract of FMB exhibited significant antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity by reducing carbon tetrachloride- and paracetamol-induced changes in biochemical parameters as evidenced by enzymatic and histological examination. Pretreatment with ethyl acetate extract of FMB significantly shortened the duration

of pentobarbitone-induced necrosis in mice, indicating its hepatoprotective potential. Phytochemical studies confirmed the presence of the phenolic compound, catechin, in FMB, which may interfere with free-radical formation and may account for its significant hepatoprotective effects. The present study thus provides a scientific rationale for the traditional use selleck of this plant in the management of liver disorders.”
“P>We present an investigation of anthocyanin regulation over the entire petunia plant, determining the mechanisms governing complex floral pigmentation patterning and environmentally induced vegetative anthocyanin synthesis. DEEP PURPLE (DPL) and PURPLE HAZE (PHZ) encode members of the R2R3-MYB transcription factor family that regulate anthocyanin synthesis in petunia, and control anthocyanin production in vegetative tissues and contribute to floral pigmentation. In addition to these two MYB factors, the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) factor ANTHOCYANIN1 (AN1) and WD-repeat protein AN11, are also essential for vegetative pigmentation. The induction of anthocyanins in vegetative tissues by high light was tightly correlated to the induction of transcripts for PHZ and AN1.